Agathocles Interview 1) Hi Jan, its been a long time we've been a pen pal since 1995 when I start contacting you and when you gave me a copy of your discography cd "Black Clouds determinate". I really enjoy that cd and Agathocles is one of the first grindcore band I've ever heard so why its all started that give me an interest to listen in this kind of music. What can you say about some other people or even other bands nowadays who are also the same like me that inspired a lot in forming grindcore bands like Agathocles? JAN AG: What can I say about it? It sure is nice to see that people or bands are inspired by AGATHOCLES, by our lyrics or by our sounds. It puts a smile on my face because of course it is always flattering to know that people appreciate the things you are doing. 2) Do you think that the endless support of AGATHOCLES fans is the main reason why AGATHOCLES is still alive and kicking as of this time? Or what is the reason why AGATHOCLES is still doing new records, playing new gigs, and still active despite of lots of changes happening now to the band? JAN AG: For sure the support of the underground DIY movement has kept AG going. The world wide network of friends, of mind-like people, is a great channel for motivation and for strength to keep AG going. To be more precise, the DIY network of friends is one of the reasons that AG exist. We don't need any manager, big label or commercial booking agencies. It all can be done by the network of friends and I am proud to see that working with AG and this network of friends has proven this. DIY is the alternative, my friend. 3)You said that DIY network of friends is one of the reasons that AG exist. And AG doesn�t need any manager, big label or commercial booking agencies. What would you do if there is an offer to tour AG in other countries and release some records but in return you have an exclusive contract for this label that you don�t have any agreement with other label like releasing splits or full length album? How would you handle this kind of situation? Is there already any offer like this before happened? JAN AG: We don�t work with exclusivity contracts. In this case, we would make up an own contract with our own terms and try to sort something out. But NO exclusivity contracts. I guess there�s always a way to find a decent way to work with each other. In the past we have got some offers for exclusivity contracts but we have always refused them. 4) Let's talk about the band line up. This year we read that there was a change on the band line up, and I'm not sure if it's also the same time that the band website is temporarily unavailable. Well, is there any big reason why the two other members quit the band or it is already planned for this year to leave the band move to another new career? JAN AG: At the end of 2006, Roel (drums) and Dirk (guitars) left the band. We did our last gig with this line-up in Eindhoven, Holland at the end of December. Roel already decided to leave AG because of his busy working schedule (working in the weekends a lot and being a father) and Dirk did not know yet. But it ended up that AG needed two new members. Roel as well as Dirk will start new bands. So keep your eyes open for them. 5) Ok, if Roel quite busy right now with his family as being a father. What about you do you have any plan to have your own family or I mean do you see yourself in the near future and possible quitting AGATHOCLES also. What can you say about that? JAN AG: I can�t look into the future, my friend. But I can�t see myself quitting AG in the near future. It�s too much pleasure and fun and I love the way we work with the band. 6) By the way, who are Tony and Nils? Are they are your old time friends or just only met for the band? How hard for you to look for another band mate? JAN AG: They are both old time friends. I know Tony over 16 years and Nils I know over 8 years (he's 22 years old). Both are great friends and we have spent many times together before playing now in AG. We are all active at the same youth club for organizing grind/noise/punk gigs. Tony also played bass in one of my old bands FAHRENHEIT AGX (with Roel, old AG drummer, on drums as well) and he is still playing in PERMANENT DEATH. Nils is also drumming in GI JOKE. 7) You have already some gigs schedule for this year and this November AGATHOCLES will be having a South American tour. In what countries our brothers in south will expect AGATCHOCLES. Also what preparation you are doing right now for this upcoming tour. JAN AG: Last weekend, we played our first gig with the new line-up in the squat of MOL. It was a great start for the new line-up. Nice concert, it was. We got many other gigs planned in countries such as Holland, Belgium, Italy, and Czech Republic� About the South American tour, we plan to play in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. Now, we are checking out the best way how to travel to the gigs, because South America is really huge. We'll be there a month and a half. I am really looking forward to that. 8) What about in South East Asian tour? I guess it's not new to you that there are lots of grind fanatics influenced by AGATHOCLES from SE Asia. Do you have any plan to tour down here or any chances we could see our idols. JAN AG: KILL YOUR FUCKING IDOLS, hahaha. No, we don't have plans to come to South East Asia. Maybe someone can pay for our airplane tickets from Belgium and back, so we can come over. Yes, many great grind/mince bands are popping up these days in Asia. It's great to see that. 9)AGATHCOLES have lots of upcoming splits releases, what new stuff do we expect on this upcoming project or we just only expect some re-mastered tracks from previous albums? JAN AG: With the new line-up, we have recorded new stuff for split 7"EP's with AVULSION, DESECRATOR and BESTIAL VOMIT. And also new songs for a split CD with SIMBIOSE. These records are not released yet, but maybe they all will be out in summer. We are planning to record more new stuff soon. But also releases with older, non-released stuff, will be out soon such as AG "Senseless trip" CD, AG/RUIDO GENITAL split CD, AG/ROGER MOORE split LP, AG/CYANAMID split LP, AG "Proud to be out" full 7"EP, AG/SMG split 7"EP and many more. 10) What is your view to some other bands that are into Porn, Pathological, No lyrics, and grindcore bands? Have you been tackled already this kind of topics on your previous albums or planning to do it on upcoming records? JAN AG: I am not interested in all that being put as an image for a grindcore band. It has nothing to do with grind. GRIND is protest, is a reaction, GRIND is not an image. If I wanna have gore, I watch a splatter movie, if wanna have porn, I watch a porn movie�. So I am really not interested in bands that do not stand for anything. But bands with no lyrics really can have a message, through their sounds. 11) You said that you�re not interested in this kind of grindcore bands like into porn, pathological, etc. But what would you do if there is an offer for a split project with a porn or pathological grindcore band. Are you will accept this project or what? JAN AG: That depends on the band. We know quite a lot bands into this genre which are nice people with the heart at the right place. We must see when the moment comes. 12) For the past few years that AGATHOCLES plays lots of gigs and shows. What are the unforgettable bad or good experienced that you think you will never forget in the run of AGATHOCLES. JAN AG: From the last AG gigs, I really enjoyed played in Cremona, Italy at a two day festival with DISFEAR, CRIPPLE BASTARDS,�. That was really excellent. Also the gig we did last weekend was pretty amazing, because it was the first gig with the new line-up. About bad experiences, well, getting into fights with nazi-scum. That's not really pleasant. 13) In case we plan to invite your band AGATHOCLES to show in the Philippines, what demand do you request before we could organize the show? JAN AG: Ha, that's easy, pay our airplane-tickets, take care of transport, backline for playing, sleeping places and food and drinks. And we'll come over to play. It's as simple as that, hahaha. 14) Do you still contributing some columns and articles on VIOLENCE magazine? Besides of VIOLENCE is there any other magazine or fanzine you are actively working that you could recommend to read? JAN AG: No, I stopped doing that because I don't find the time anymore to write columns. I have a full time job and when I come home, I need to take care of the house, do my mail, rehearse, write songs and lyrics�.It was just too much so it was better to quit then being stressed when I needed to write a column before the deadline. 15) Besides of AGATHOCLES is there any other that make you busy right now? What about the band JAN AGATHOCLES? Could you please tell us more about this? JAN AG: Now, I concentrate on AG totally. I need to write many new songs and lyrics for upcoming releases. I used to play bass in BLOODRED BACTERIA but I quit that. Other bands I still do is THE GAJNA (GAI/CONFUSE style raw punk) and JAN AG (solo project of all weird ideas I have). But I haven't recorded anything new with them since long time. Who knows, maybe in the near future? There will be a JAN AG full LP released in the next months. 16) I know that there are lots of Filipinos who contact you in the past few years. Well besides of your contact what else do you know about Philippines? JAN AG: What I know about Philippines? Not too much, to be honest. Many American soldiers on the Philippines, there's a guerrilla movement, you speak English as second language, I think. A Filipino band I really love is GI AND THE IDIOTS. I love them. Killer stuff and so old. 17) Well Jan, I hope all my questions doesn't give headache to you and hope you enjoy the interview. Any last words you would like to add go ahead. Thanks! JAN AG: Thanx a lot for doing this interview with me and for your interest and support. Thanx to the people for taking time to read my ramblings. Keep your eyes open, build a scene by yourself and friends on DIY basis, say no to commercial fuckers, and say yes to DIY. If you wanna have more info on AG, check www.agathocles.com or write me at [email protected] MINCE CORE FOR PASSION, NOT FOR FASHION
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